5.29.2009

Eudora Welty: Photographer

Before Eudora Welty became a successful writer, she began taking pictures while working as a publicity agent for the WPA in the 1930's, taking candid snapshots of Depression-era life in her native Mississippi as well as New York City. In 1936 she was first published, and she had her first solo photography exhibition in New York. As she would later reminisce in her memoir One Writer’s Beginnings, “The camera was a hand-held auxiliary of wanting-to-know.”

1936 - Girl on Porch (auspicious coincidence)
Ruins of Windsor ( Gibbes Museum). I find this one haunting!
The Rides - State Fair (Garden & Gun)
Title unknown (Up Mississippi)
Title unknown (Garden & Gun)
I stumbled upon a 1989 NY Times interview with Ms. Welty regarding her photography and the beginning of her writing career. Definitely worth a read!

15 comments:

Cassaundra said...

o! those photos are stunning!

Hello Lindello said...

“The camera was a hand-held auxiliary of wanting-to-know.”

I love that quote. What an amazing woman. I really love the ruins of windsor. Your right- it is kind of haunting.

Jessie Cacciola said...

these are gorgeous! what an interesting life..

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

Fabulous photos! I love "the rides" one.

Kitty Stampede said...

I adore the first, the last and the fair one. I have this weird obession with old vintage fair photos!! Amazing shots!!

Christina said...

these are all pretty haunting...she was a woman of many talents.

drollgirl said...

these images are simply gorgeous! what a fabulous find!!!

and thank you for the alpha comment. oy! i plan to force a compromise out of the man. it will work. :)

may your weekend be fabulous!!!

Sabine, La Marquise des anges said...

what a gorgeous and inspiring post ... thnaks for sahring . I love your blog !!!

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Love the 2nd photo very much...the mysterious shadow! Lovely weekend to you dear~

Beth said...

Wonderful photos!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Hi - I just found your blog via Lenorenevermore's giraffe post.

What an interesting post - love these photos. I had not heard of Eudora Welty.

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

Love the first photo of the girl and the fair one is pretty neat too. Actually, they are all really cool! Hope your weekend is fabulous..and relaxing!

Sixpence and A Blue Moon said...

Stunning photos! Are you familiar with Margaret Bourke-White? In a way their photography is similar.

Lovely post!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

rachaelgking said...

I think I've said this before, but it's still true... I ADORE B&W photography. For reals.

Tikimama said...

Beautiful images!